Berwick man fined for mobile phone offence on motorway
A Berwick man has been ordered to pay nearly £1,000 after admitting using a handheld mobile phone while driving.
Christopher Humble, 66, of Eastern Lane, was unable to appear at Berwick Magistrates’ Court on Thursday as he is currently in Australia but he pleaded guilty by letter.
Magistrates heard the defendant’s offence was spotted by a camera on the A1(M) at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham as he travelled from Manchester Airport in an Avis hire car on July 5, 2024.
Brian Payne, prosecuting, said: “He accepts he was the driver of the vehicle but did not accept he was using a mobile phone but he now pleads guilty by letter.”
He was fined £396, ordered to pay prosecution costs of £400 and a £158 surcharge, bringing the total to £954. He was also handed a six month driving disqualification.